Sterlite protest: DMK, allies call dawn-to-dusk bandh tomorrow

Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu on Thursday called for a dawn-to-dusk bandh on May 25, condemning the police action against protestors in Tuticorin, in which 11 people lost their lives in the last two days.

The DMK had called for an all-party protest at all the district headquarters on May 25 to condemn the police firing in Tuticorin district.

In a circular, the DMK said instead of the all-party protest, a bandh would be observed on May 25 to condemn the police action and demand the closure of the Sterlite copper smelting plant in Tuticorin district.

Stating that the people living in Tuticorin and its neighbouring districts were angered by the police action against the agitators, the release said, "The bandh will also reflect the feelings of Tamils."

"The DMK, the All India National Congress, the Dravidar Kazhagam, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the CPI, the CPI(M), the Indian Union Muslim League, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi will participate in the day-long state-wide protest," it added.

Opposition MK Stalin on Wednesday questioned the police action that led to the 'mass murder of innocent people' who were protesting Vedanta's Sterlite Copper industrial plant in Thoothukudi (Tuticorin). The Home Ministry has sought a report from the Tamil Nadu government over the situation in Thoothukudi.

Sterlite Copper, which currently operates a 400,000-tonne per annum unit in the city, maintains it has received necessary permits and has not violated any norms.

The residents of Thoothukudi have been demanding the closure of the Sterlite Copper Smelter for the past 100 days and had decided to take out a march before the Tuticorin District Collectorate on Tuesday. The protest took a violent turn after which the police resorted to firing to control the mob.